What is the term for the variety of ecosystems in a given area?

The term for the variety of ecosystems in a given area is ecological diversity. This concept refers to the different kinds of ecosystems and their interactions within a specific region, highlighting the multitude of habitats, communities, and ecological processes that exist. Ecological diversity encompasses not only the sheer number of different ecosystems present but also how they function and relate to one another, which is essential for maintaining overall biodiversity and ecological health.

In this context, the other terms refer to different aspects of biodiversity. Ecosystem resilience pertains to how well an ecosystem can recover from disturbances. Species richness is focused specifically on the number of different species within an ecosystem, rather than the variety of ecosystems themselves. Genetic variation refers to the diversity of genes within a particular species, which is crucial for adaptation and survival but does not capture the broader concept of ecosystems. Thus, ecological diversity is the most accurate choice to describe the variety of ecosystems in a given area.